State Sen. Peter Bragdon subject of ethics investigation

New Hampshire's Legislative Ethics Committee voted Monday to investigate a complaint that former Senate President Peter Bragdon used his public office for personal gain.

The committee voted to open an investigation into a complaint by state Rep. Rick Watrous, a Concord Democrat, that Bragdon violated the ethics rules by accepting a job with the quasi-public Local Government Center. Bragdon began his $180,000-a-year job at the center Aug. 14.

"This does not constitute in any manner or means that Sen. Bragdon violated the rules. This is to get the additional information we think we need," Ethics Committee Chairman Martin Gross said of the panel's vote.

Bragdon, a Milford Republican, stepped down as president last month after continued criticism from Democrats about potential conflicts of interest, but kept his Senate seat. Bragdon said he realized his new job might cause some people to question the openness and integrity of the Senate.

In his complaint, Watrous said keeping both the job and his Senate seat is a conflict that leaves the public wondering if Bragdon is influencing legislation. Watrous also questioned Bragdon's appointment of Sen. Jeanie Forrester to a committee reviewing a report about the LGC.

Bragdon denied doing anything unethical.

"The record will clearly show that I was hired to provide organizational leadership to HealthTrust Inc. and not to try to influence legislation," said Bragdon.

He said the ethics rules allow lawmakers to work if they don't do legislative work for their employer.

"I have been very diligent about saying I would recuse myself from any legislation involving the municipal risk pool and will continue to do so," he said.Bragdon said any legislator can file an ethics complaint, but he is confident he followed the law.

The center, which has since reorganized, was an umbrella organization overseeing a health care trust, a workers' compensation trust and a liability and property trust in which many municipalities participate. Bragdon is executive director of the health care trust.

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